Why does the USPS hate Canada so much?

Mailing a package to Canada is sort of like going to see the doctor.  You know the final bill is going to hurt, you just don't know how much.

A package that costs $3.00 to mail from Texas to upstate New York, costs $987.49 to mail just across the border.  Ok, that might be a bit of an exaggeration, but those of you that have mailed to the Great White North recently know what I'm talking about.

Of course, that's not keeping me from mailing to the great Captain Canuck, owner and operator of Waxaholic.  There are two reasons for this.  One, I think he gets short changed on Braves goodies up there in Canada.  The second is that he's a really good dude who sends packages like this one.

My affinity for the Washington Senators lands me a fair amount of Walter Johnson cards (nothing vintage of course).  This happens despite the fact that Johnson played for the version of the Senators I don't collect.  That's fine with me though.  My son has started a mini-player collection for Johnson and since we didn't open any Panini Cooperstown packs, this is a new one for me.  I think my son has nearly three binder pages full of Johnsons.  For some reason, I can't stop typing the word Johnsons.  Someone stop me please!

While I may not personally collect Walter Johnson, the Big Train, I do collect The Ryan Express.  Any team, any condition.

Cap't Canuck sent me one of these 1954 Bowman Power for Peace cards before.  I love these things and it just seemed right to post them on Veteran's Day.

Even if this one isn't a Navy ship.

This is, believe it or not, the U.S. Coast Guard Gutter SASSAFRAS.  That's funny to me.  Being a submarine sailor, we just referred to all surface ships as TARGETS, whether they belonged to the US Navy or the Russians.

This is one bad-ass card. (Sorry mom!)  That's PT 809.  I loved PT boats since hearing about JFK being a PT boat sailor and reading about them as a boy.

According to the web, PT 809 had a fairly illustrious service record:

Laid down 27 June 1949 by the Electric Boat Co., Groton, CT

Launched 7 August 1950

Completed 9 February 1951

Assigned to the Potomac River Naval Command 1 November 1959 as a civil defense boat and escort for the Presidential Yacht Barbara Ann, later Honey Fitz

After the Presidential yachts were deposed, the Guardian was released from Presidential service and transferred to Fleet Composite Squardon SIX (VC-6), 16 December 1974. She was modified at Cambridge, MD for use in

retrieving target drones in various ranges along the Virginia/Maryland/North Carolina coast. The Soviets were quite adept at recovering the drones and all of their electronic technology. It was felt that something fast like a PT

boat might aid in the recovery of the drones. The Guardian was based at Little Creek Naval Amphibious Base and renamed DR-1 aka Retriever. Later she was assigned to the special boat unit in support of the Navy SEALs.

She was the longest serving PT-boat.

Placed out of service in 1988

Scrapped in 1990.

That's pretty cool stuff.

Here's the granddaddy of this trade.  Even though Josh isn't a Ranger anymore, I'm not turning down a nice auto/hand towel (or jersey) relic card.

Cap, I'll be getting your return package in the mail this week, rip card included!

Thanks for the great vintage stuff and the auto.

Happy Veteran's Day to all you vets and current service members!